Judge Philosophies

1.Judge’s Name

Blair Lin 林晚嘉

2.Tell us about your debate judging experience. I have judged debate for more than a year, but Public Forum for less than a year.

3.Tell us about your debating experience.

I have debated other formats for more than a year, including PF,but PF experience is little.

4.What is your speaking speed preference?

a.Deliberate speed (100-120wpm)

b.Conversational speed (120-150wpm)

5.How much do you know about the topic?

d.I pay attention to this topic, but I don’t go out of my way to know about it.

6.Do you think the second rebuttal speaker should be expected to respond directly to the first rebuttal speaker (frontlining)?

a.Yes, if the second rebuttal doesn’t respond to the first rebuttal I consider it a dropped argument

7.How important is the flow (your notes) in making your decision? What do you write down in your notes?

b.It’s somewhat important. I use my notes to aid me in making my decision.

8.What factors go into your decision as to who wins the debate?

logic,argument,rebuttal,crossfire

9.Is there anything else you would like the debaters to know about you?

dont speak too fast, if you are professional enough, you would know how to make your point loud,clear and strong enough in certain time. Aggressive is not the key.

Clarity, evidence, critical thinking, and polite conversation are all given top priority in my paradigm as a judge of public forums, junior debates, and public speaking.

When judging junior debate and public forum I appreciate well-structured arguments supported by reliable sources and compelling data. Additionally crucial is effective critical thinking, which demonstrates logical reasoning and knowledge of opposing viewpoints. Personal assaults are not tolerated; instead, it is anticipated that arguments from opponents be engaged in a civil and productive manner. When opponents' arguments are successfully refuted, it carries a lot of weight. I take into account reasoning (40%), evidence (30%), critical thinking (20%), and delivery (10%) when assessing debates. Ignoring counterarguments, providing unsupported facts, or breaking debate rules all result in penalties. The team that best satisfies these requirements and exhibits superior arguments, evidence, and refutation will be declared the winner.

When judging speech I look for clarity in the speech's introduction, body and conclusion.Eye contact, language use, body language, tone of voice, topic relevancy, and time management are all things I look for. When scoring I use the following criteria; excellent ,good ,satisfactory , and in need of improvement.

My ultimate goal is to organize a fair, fruitful, and intellectually challenging competition where players participate rigorously and with respect, developing their critical thinking and communication abilities while also gaining a greater understanding of the subject.

Name: Tatenda Musekiwa

Age:22

Location: MA’ANSHAN

College: ANHUI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Current Occupancy (Student in college, or career field):STUDENT IN COLLEGE

Tabroom email: ​​tatendamusekiwa073@gmail.com

1. What types of debate have you participated before and how long is your debate career?

-PF DEBATE, WSD DEBATE AND PUBLIC SPEAKING

- Less than a year

2. How do you consider fast-talking?

-I consider fast-talking effective if it’s clear and persuasive, but not if it is at the expense of clarity or comprehension.

3. How do you consider aggressiveness?

-Aggressiveness can be seen as a sign of passion, but it should not compromise respectfulness and civility.

4. How do you usually determine the winner of the debate?

-The winner is determined by the strength of arguments, evidence, and presentation,as well as their ability to address counterarguments.

5. Please specify any additional notes you want to share with debaters, including any unique preference of the debate. - Please focus on respectful dialogue, clear argumentation, and effective rebuttals.

6. How many Lincoln- Douglas Debate tournaments have you judged in the past year?

A.​0-5

B.​6-10

C.​11+

7. How many notes do you take during a debate?

A.​I try to take notes on everything.

B.​I write down the points I think are important.

C.​I take few notes and focus more on the overall presentation.

Please answer the following questions based on a scale of 1-10.

9. How important is defining the topic to your decision making?

10

10. How important is value and criterion to your decision making?

10

11. How important is cross-examination in your decision making?

8

12. How important is weighing in your decision making?

10

13. How important is persuasive speaking and non-verbal communication in your decision-making

8

14. How fast should students speak?

7

Moddy Princess Sibanda

Debating Experience:
Finalists 2021 at Zimbabwe

Quarter finalist Public Speaking and Debating Championship (Online)

2nd Best Speaker Price at High school Junior Parliament

Harare girls High Debate competitions qualifiers

Judging Experience:

2024 NHSDLC WUHAN Speech & Debate Tournament

2024 BIHZ tournament online

2024 NHSDLC Qingdao offline Public speaking Tournament

2024 NHSDLC Online 4 Public Forum

2024 NHSDLC Shanghai Offline Public Forum

2024 NHSDLC Shanghai Offline JWSD

2024 BIBWH Tournament online debate

Judging Preference or Judging criteria:

As a judge, I evaluate debates based on the quality of arguments, presentation, and strategy. My primary focus is on the clarity, logic, and persuasive power of the arguments presented. I prioritize teams that present well-structured, evidence-based arguments that effectively address the topic.

Effective presentation is also crucial, as I consider the clarity, concision, and delivery of speeches. I assess the teams' ability to communicate their arguments clearly and persuasively, taking into account factors such as body language, tone, and pace.

Strategy is another key aspect of debate that I evaluate. I consider the teams' approach to the topic, including their ability to identify key issues, counterarguments, and effective rebuttals. I assess their ability to allocate time effectively, ensuring that all points are covered and arguments are fully developed.

When evaluating rebuttals and counterarguments, I consider the teams' ability to respond to opponents' arguments, challenge assumptions, and present effective counterarguments. I also assess the credibility and relevance of sources used to support arguments.

Ultimately, my decision is based on which team presents the most persuasive case, taking into account all of the above criteria. While I strive to be impartial, I tend to favor teams that present clear, concise, and well-structured arguments, use credible sources and evidence, and demonstrate effective time management and organization.

As a judge, I adapt my paradigm to align with the specific rules and guidelines of each tournament, ensuring a fair and impartial evaluation of debates.

The Standard for my Decision at the Debate; (RFD)

In making my decision at the debate, I will be evaluating teams based on their ability to present clear, logical, and persuasive arguments that effectively address the topic. My standard for decision (RFD) is as follows: I will assess whether teams have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the topic, identified key issues, and presented relevant and credible evidence to support their arguments. I will also evaluate their ability to respond to opponents' arguments, adapt to the debate's progression, and demonstrate effective time management and strategic thinking. Ultimately, I will award the team that presents the most compelling case, demonstrating a deep understanding of the topic and the ability to persuasively communicate their arguments, while also adhering to the rules and guidelines of the debate.

Personal Tencent Meeting Code/ Personal Voov Meeting Code

#腾讯会议：566-547-2914

Tabroom Email address: moddysibandap@gmail.com

Location: 江苏省南京市江宁区龙眠大道639号 中国药科大学 China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing China